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EXPERTS ON INTERNATIONAL LAW CGMMBW FAVORABLY ON PROPOSER ISRAELI boNSTITUTlON
NEW YORK, Dec. 10. (JTA) » Outstanding Amorican authorities on international and constitutional law have cciomented favorably on the draft of the Israeli
constitution, the full text of which was mado public today in the American pro33, it
was revealed this afternoon by Eiiahu Epstein, Israeli envoy in Washington, in a
statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
The draft, prepared by Dr. Leo Kohn, counsellor of the Israeli Foreign Office, attracted wide interest in this country. It combines aspects of the American,
French and British systems of government with some of the fundamentals of ancient
Jewish law. It abolishes the death penalty, separates state and church, guarantees
free access to Palestine's Holy Places, establishes freedom of worship for all sects,
draws no distinction among Jews, Christians and Moslems in their rights as citizens,
and goes beyond any existing constitution—including that of the United States--in
setting forth basic human rights.
The draft provides that no one should be subjected to torture, flogging or
humiliating punishment and prohibits the application of moral pressure or physical
violence in the course of police interrogation. Freedom of speech and opinion is
guaranteed. Censorship is unlawful, except in time of war or national emergency. No
person may be extradited to any country where he is liable to be deprived of such
rights as are guaranteed by the Israeli Constitution. Hebrew is the official language of Israel, but adequate facilities shall bo giver, to Arab-speaking citizens
for use of their language in the legislature, before courts and before administrative authorities.
Sabbath and the Jewish holidays are the official days of rest, but holy
days of other religious denominations are recognized equally as days of rest for the
members of such denominations. Every citizen has a right to social security and to
health services by the state, which will also provide facilities for primary and
secondary education for Israelis and Arabs in thoir own languages.
The President, according to the constitution, is to be elected for a
period of five years by the Israeli Parliament, which is to have not less than 100
members. The Cabinet is to have not more than 15 members and is to be responsible
to the Parliament. The Premier and his Cabinet must resign when they fail to get
the support of a majority of the Parliament. Members of the Parliament are elected for four years.
Israeli Precepts of Justice Are the Sa'io as American, Epstein Says
"Whatever draft is finally adopted by our Constituent Assembly the Constitution of the Israeli state will undoubtedly ~oo based on principles of democracy, of
fullest freedom for the individual and of equality before law, with democratically-
elected governing bodies and no discrimination between citizens/' Epstein.said in his
statement. "These principles will in fact give expression to the tradition of Jewish law and reflect the way of life and of the progressive democratic Jewish society
in Icrael. Our precepts of moral and political justice are the same as those which
gave liberty and independence to America and other freedom-loving nations of
the world.
'To call Dr. Kohn'3 draft of the constituticn 'socialistic1 as has beon erroneously suggostod in one New York journal is both inaccurate and misleading. This
draft includes all guarantees of a society based en full respect for individual
property and free enterprise," the Israeli envoy pointed cut.

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User has an obligation to determine copyright or other use restrictions prior to publication or distribution. Please contact the archives at reference@ajhsboston.org or 617-226-1245 for more information.

Transcript

EXPERTS ON INTERNATIONAL LAW CGMMBW FAVORABLY ON PROPOSER ISRAELI boNSTITUTlON
NEW YORK, Dec. 10. (JTA) » Outstanding Amorican authorities on international and constitutional law have cciomented favorably on the draft of the Israeli
constitution, the full text of which was mado public today in the American pro33, it
was revealed this afternoon by Eiiahu Epstein, Israeli envoy in Washington, in a
statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
The draft, prepared by Dr. Leo Kohn, counsellor of the Israeli Foreign Office, attracted wide interest in this country. It combines aspects of the American,
French and British systems of government with some of the fundamentals of ancient
Jewish law. It abolishes the death penalty, separates state and church, guarantees
free access to Palestine's Holy Places, establishes freedom of worship for all sects,
draws no distinction among Jews, Christians and Moslems in their rights as citizens,
and goes beyond any existing constitution—including that of the United States--in
setting forth basic human rights.
The draft provides that no one should be subjected to torture, flogging or
humiliating punishment and prohibits the application of moral pressure or physical
violence in the course of police interrogation. Freedom of speech and opinion is
guaranteed. Censorship is unlawful, except in time of war or national emergency. No
person may be extradited to any country where he is liable to be deprived of such
rights as are guaranteed by the Israeli Constitution. Hebrew is the official language of Israel, but adequate facilities shall bo giver, to Arab-speaking citizens
for use of their language in the legislature, before courts and before administrative authorities.
Sabbath and the Jewish holidays are the official days of rest, but holy
days of other religious denominations are recognized equally as days of rest for the
members of such denominations. Every citizen has a right to social security and to
health services by the state, which will also provide facilities for primary and
secondary education for Israelis and Arabs in thoir own languages.
The President, according to the constitution, is to be elected for a
period of five years by the Israeli Parliament, which is to have not less than 100
members. The Cabinet is to have not more than 15 members and is to be responsible
to the Parliament. The Premier and his Cabinet must resign when they fail to get
the support of a majority of the Parliament. Members of the Parliament are elected for four years.
Israeli Precepts of Justice Are the Sa'io as American, Epstein Says
"Whatever draft is finally adopted by our Constituent Assembly the Constitution of the Israeli state will undoubtedly ~oo based on principles of democracy, of
fullest freedom for the individual and of equality before law, with democratically-
elected governing bodies and no discrimination between citizens/' Epstein.said in his
statement. "These principles will in fact give expression to the tradition of Jewish law and reflect the way of life and of the progressive democratic Jewish society
in Icrael. Our precepts of moral and political justice are the same as those which
gave liberty and independence to America and other freedom-loving nations of
the world.
'To call Dr. Kohn'3 draft of the constituticn 'socialistic1 as has beon erroneously suggostod in one New York journal is both inaccurate and misleading. This
draft includes all guarantees of a society based en full respect for individual
property and free enterprise," the Israeli envoy pointed cut.